Collapsible camp table and cover structure



March 28, 1933. w. H BUTLER 1,903,209

COLLAPSIBLE CAMP TABLE AND COVER STRUCTURE Filed Feb. l5, 1932 2Sheets-Sheet l o\ IQ,

BY 27 v/ ATTORNEYY.

March 28, 1933. w. H. BUTLER COLLAPSIBLE CAMP TABLE AND COVER STRUCTUREFiled Feb. 15, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN 770% WflBzrZZe A ORN E YPatented Mar. 28, 1933 'UNITEDI STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM H. BUTLER,0F MONROVIA, CALIFORNIA COLLAPSIBLE CAMP TABLE'AND covna STRUCTUREApplication filed February 15, 1932. Serial No. 592,996.

This invention relates to camp equipment and more especially to acollapsible camp table and cover structure.

It is an object of the invention to provide a camp equipmentinvolving acollapsible stand including a center pole combined with a system ofcollapsible legs and arms foldably jointed therewith, whereby to providefor the compact folding of the stand into a collapsed condition andconversely to enable stand to be unfolded or expanded and set up withthe arms in a horizontal position and with the legs expanded and set ina supporting position all with the purpose of forming a substantial restfor a knock-down set of trays which are of such shape and constructionas to be assembled in a horizontal plane to form a table of considerablearea on the erected stand.

A further object is to provide a combined table stand and coverstructure in which an umbrella frame may be supported in extendedposition on the erected table stand; the umbrella frame being providedwith a fabric cover of suitable character and of suitable dimensions inlength so as to extend fully to the ground level around the table standand table parts thereon, or the umbrella cover may be of shorter lengthif so desired, and terminated at any suitable distance upward from theground.

A further object is to provide a table device comprising a system ofduplicate and interchangeable members readily associable to form atable, and each section adapted to be used individually as a tray onwhich food may be carried from a camp fire or camp kitchen to thedesignated camp tent or site of the individual, or a number ofindividuals occupying a designated camp.

A further object is to provide a knockdown sectional table and coverstructure which is of light Weight, of substantial construction, ispracticable, can be easily erected or disassembled, and which can bestored in a folded condition in a compact manner for economy of space,and which is of low cost of construction and sale price.

The invention consists in certain advancements in this art as set forthin the ensuing table supporting 1y. common (horizontal) plane, in whichpodisclosure end having, with the above, additional objects andadvantages, as hereinafter developed, and whose construction,combination and details of means, and the manner of operation will bemade manifest in the description of the herewith illustrativeembodiment; it being understood that modifications, variations andadaptations may be re sorted to within the scope, principle and spiritof the invention as it is more directly claimed hereinafter.

Figure l is a side elevation of the erected structure, certain partsbeing in section.

Figure 2 is a detail view of interlocking parts of the cover frame. 65

Figure 3 is a perspective of one of the table tray-sections.

Figure 4 is a side elevation and tion of the collapsed table stand.

Figure 5 is a plan with certain parts in 70 section, showing standelements in extended position with one tray secpartial section in place.

In its illustrated form, the equipment includes a center post 2, whichmay be tubular, and on whose lower end is secured a fourarmed spider 3having pivots 4 on which are hinged aset of arms 5 of suitable lengthand material and which have intermediate pivots 6 connecting them to legmembers 7 which so have open slots from top to bottom into which thearms 5 may be folded in jack-knife fash ion as shown in Fig. 4.

The upper ends of the leg members 7 are mounted on pivots 8 inrespective arms 9 radiating from and secured rigidly on a sleeve 10 inwhich the center post 2 telescopes during opening and closing movementof the arms 5, as to the legs 7 Attached to the sleeve 10 is a springlatch 11 having a pin 12 adapted to enter respective pin holes 18 andlet in the center pole at respective closed and open positions of thetable stand parts, namely the conjointed arms 5 and legs 7. When thestand is to be set up, the legs 7 are spread apart and concurrently withthis action, the center post 2, when releasedby opening the latch 11,shifts down the sleeve 10, this continuing until the arms 5 are in asubstantialsition the stand is supported by the foot ends of the spreadlegs with the center post 2 up oil? the ground. In the thus set upposition, the stand parts are latched by the latch 11 and can notaccidentally collapse.

A further feature of the invention consists of the table device and inits preferred form, this comprises a set of a suitable number ofduplicate sections, four in the present case, and each section ischaracterized as a tray 15 of sheet metal or other suitable material.Each tray is of segmental character having convergent side beads 16which not only materially stifien the tray body, but also lap over theradial arms 5 of the table stand when this is set up; the mutualcontiguous side beads 16 of a pair of the trays 15 which meet over onearm, resting closely over each other. The outer or longer edge 17 ofeach tray is preferably reenforced by a bead as shown. The radial beads16 are notched at 16- sufiiciently to clear the oblique legs 7 wherethey cross the arms at the pivots 6 which connect the legs and arms. Itwill be seen that when the set of complementary trays 15 have beenapplied to the extended table stand as indicated in Fig. 5, a capacioustable surface is attained.

A desirable feature of this device is that where a number of individualsare occupying a given camp site at which may be provided a table standas above described, each occupant may utilize his own table section as atray whereby to carry food and other materials from a campfire orgeneral camp kitchen to his designated table stand.

A further feature of the invention comprises a cover structure which ishere shown in the form of an umbrella tent cover 20 of a length toextend to the ground and whose top is conveniently supported upon acollapsible umbrella frame including a system of ribs 21 which are eachpivoted at 22 upon a crown spider 23 fixed on an umbrella staff 24. Theribs 21 are adapted to be easily expanded and then braced by means ofrespective braces 25 pivoted thereto and whose lower ends may bedetachably interconnected, as by means of clips or hooks 26, to arespective clip band 27 attached to the umbrella staff 24.

The lower end of the umbrella staff 24 is provided with a spindle 28which is adapted to be telescoped into the socket-forming, upper end ofthe sleeve 10. It will be understood that instead of full-length tentcover 20, this may be of shortened length so as to serve the ordinarypurpose of a sun shade or umbrella over the relative table structure.

WVhat is claimed is:

1. A collapsible camp table and cover structure comprising a collapsiblestand including a system of toldable legs and extensible table armspivotally connected thereto, and a center part, a system of tableforming sections for said extended arms, and a cover including a topframe connectible to said part and having a cover cloth.

2. A camp table comprising a collapsible stand including extensible legsand table arms which are pivotally attached to the legs, and means forsecuring the same in relatively extended and closed positions, and a setof independent table sections applicable to the extended arms andforming a table top thereon.

3. A collapsible table top comprising a set of complementary independentsections and having nesting radial edges cooperative to form a tabletop, and means for supporting the assembled sections comprising radialarms on which the said edges hook.

4. A camp table structure including a tent pole support comprising asystem of foldable legs connected at one end to a pole part and adaptedto be spread to form a stand, and a set of table arms connected toanother part of the pole and pivoted to respective legs for horizontalextension, and means for securing the arms in extended position.

WILLIAM H. BUTLER.

